Dawn urges Pakistani authorities to engage with PTI before march
Pakistani publication Dawn, in an editorial, urged the country's authorities to engage with the PTI party so that its planned September 27 march to Islamabad takes place peacefully. According to the publication, the party is organizing the action, citing the need for the supremacy of the Constitution and demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan.
Petition to the court
A petition challenging the planned action was filed with the Islamabad High Court. The petitioner, whom Dawn describes as an Islamabad trader, fears possible disruptions to daily life and business operations due to the protest.
During a hearing on Tuesday, the court formed an expanded bench to consider the sensitive case. The next hearing, according to the publication, was to take place the following day. In the editorial's view, this indicates the authorities' concerns over the planned mass action in the capital.
Dawn also mentioned the situation in Karachi, where a significant part of the road network was blocked on Sunday, the day of the planned PTI rally. The authorities of Sindh province said the restrictions were not connected to the party's activities and were imposed for security reasons.
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Peaceful nature of the protest
The editorial recalled the deadly confrontation between PTI and the state during a protest in Islamabad in November 2024. At the same time, it stressed that holding protests is a democratic right and that the authorities should not unnecessarily prevent the party from voicing its grievances.
The publication noted that responsibility for preventing violence also lies with party leaders. The editorial described attacks on law enforcement officers and the harassment of ordinary citizens as unacceptable. As an example of engagement over protests, Dawn cited the state's contacts with the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which has been holding nationwide sit-ins for several weeks over fuel prices.
In the editorial's view, dialogue between the authorities and PTI could help avoid another escalation and preserve the peaceful nature of the planned demonstration in Islamabad.
